Sevilla sporting director, Victor Orta has declared that signing Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho was a mistake — casting serious doubt over the Nigerian forward’s top-flight future.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a frustrating spell at Leicester City, where he barely featured in their EFL Championship-winning campaign, Iheanacho joined Sevilla last summer with hopes of reigniting his career in La Liga. But according to Orta, that gamble has backfired spectacularly.
“But it’s clear that betting on Kelechi this season has been a mistake,” Orta confessed during a press conference unveiling new coach Joaquin Caparros.
“We will analyze why we made it—and we are doing so now.”
The 27-year-old forward scored only once in 11 La Liga appearances for Sevilla, most of which came off the bench. While he managed to bag three goals in the Copa del Rey, all came against lower-league opposition — hardly the standard Sevilla fans expect from an international striker.
‘HE FAILED TO DELIVER’ – ORTA
Orta, who signed Iheanacho as a supposed backup to star striker Youssef En-Nesyri, admitted that even in a limited role, the Nigerian failed to deliver.
“I want to clarify that the first two strikers were brought in as complements, to be practically the third striker, because there was a starter like Youssef and a striker who later appeared, like Isaac,” he explained.
With patience wearing thin, Sevilla offloaded Iheanacho to English Championship side Middlesbrough in January.
The move, initially seen as a lifeline, didn’t start well either — Iheanacho failed to score in his first seven games.
But just when it seemed his career was teetering on the edge, the Nigerian finally sparked into life. He opened his account in Boro’s 2-1 win over Oxford United, and followed up with a two-assist masterclass in a 3-1 win at Blackburn.
“Kelechi has the talent — there’s no question,” said a source close to Middlesbrough’s coaching staff.
“He just needs consistency and confidence. If he keeps this up, he could be key in our promotion push.”
Yet, the shadow of Orta’s harsh verdict looms large. His public remarks signal that there is no route back to Sevilla for Iheanacho — and if his form dips again, the consequences could be career-defining.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR IHEANACHO?
For a player once dubbed the “Nigerian wonderkid” after his electric start at Manchester City, it’s been a dramatic fall. But all hope is not lost.
Kelechi Iheanacho now finds himself at a crossroads — and the next few months may very well determine whether he claws his way back to Europe’s top tier or fades into obscurity.
